Here is a quick look at what occurred in 2023 through the archives of the Kinder Courier.
In January, new leaders in Oberlin took their oath of office from Stacey Hurst, including Mayor Larry Alexander and council members, Gary Marcantel, Ryan Lott, Abraham McCleon, Ryan Rozas and Chris Davis. Police Chief Grady K. Haynes also took his oath. In Kinder, oaths of office were given to Mayor Wayland LaFargue, Police Chief Paul Courville, Councilman Jerry L. Nevils Jr. and Councilwomen Maria DeWees, Latoya Tunwar, Angie Van Norman and Susanne “Sue” Sonnier. Allen Parish’s Seth Storer and his new band dropped their first single, “Heart of a Fool.” Former Reeves Mayor Scott Ralph Walker died at 61. The Reeves Council took a step to bring gasoline and alcohol sales to the village by approving a resolution petitioning for alcohol sales in the community. The Allen Parish School Board conducted its first meeting with eight board members, instead of six, due to reapportionment. The Allen Parish Police Jury also began a new process for adjudicated property and created a pamphlet to help purchasers navigate the process. Kenney Courville was inducted into the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Friday, January 13. In late January, Patricia “Pat” Jones, 92, announced her retirement as the executive director of the Allen Council on Aging/Allen Parish Transit. At the annual Chamber Banquet, the Citizens of the Year was Mr. James and Mrs. Marilyn Hamilton, and The Coushatta Casino Resort was Business of the Year. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Arden Clement.
In February, the police jury had to deal with increased coroner’s costs in the parish. Joelene Hartley was named the new executive director of the Allen Council on Aging on February 7. Superintendent Kent Reed told the school board he was ready to retire on July 1, after 37 years in education. Oberlin’s Councilman Ryan Lott resigned, and Janice Simon was appointed to the council. Reeves girls lost 68-54 to Fairview in the semi-finals of LHSAA Girls’ Marsh Madness.
In March, Kenney Courville joined Leatherwood Museum’s Hall of Fame as a former Kinder High School baseball coach. The school board began its search for a new superintendent. Eric Kuyper was named commissioner to LDVA (Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs). Coach Haley won her 100th win with a 6-2 victory over Notre Dame in softball.
April brought the police jury taking steps to allow storage of carbon dioxide in the parish. The Allen Parish Clerk of Court’s Office was awarded grants to assist in digitalizing records, storing them and making them accessible to the public. The Allen Parish Health Unit reopened. The Coushatta Casino Resort held a grand opening for its new renovated bingo hall. The annual Kinder Chamber of Commerce Administrative Assistant of the Year honors was bestowed on Brenda Savant and Sadie Lantron.
At the May 8, school board meeting, the vote for a new superintendent ended four to four. Three meetings were held in May to choose a new superintendent, and all three ended in a deadlock. Ernest Sickey, former chairman of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana and prominent Indian affairs advocate died May 17, at the age of 80. CSE Federal Credit Union ATM held its ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 31
On June 2, Kinder’s new generator arrived, replacing a 30-year-old unit. The June 5, meeting of the school board to discuss a new superintendent was cancelled. At its regularly scheduled meeting on June 12, the board agreed to return on June 13, to select an interim superintendent. Reed was given recognition as superintendent. The Coushatta Tribe received $11.4 million for infrastructure. The school board extended Reed’s contract on June 13, for 60 days while it prepared to begin a second round of interviews between contenders, Brad Soileau and Kenney Courville. Sheriff Doug Hebert was named the new president of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association.
In July, Kenney Courville stepped down as a candidate and Brad Soileau was named new leader on July 10. The school board learned both breakfast and lunch would be served to every Allen Parish student for free in the 2023-2024 school year. Sgt. Angella South retired from the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office. State news affecting local residents included asking all residents to change their PIN numbers on EBT cards. Also, the OMV (Office of Motor Vehicle) announced personal information who applied for a Louisiana driver’s license may have been compromised. The bridge between Reeves and Kinder on U.S. 190 was closed for repairs on July 31.
Due to the hot and dry weather, August brought a statewide burn ban. Brad Soileau officially took over the duties of superintendent with the retirement of Kent Reed. Qualifying for the fall election began on August 8. On August 10, the bridge between Reeves and Kinder reopened. Cesilee Olivier received the Louisiana FFA American Degree, the highest honor one can receive from FFA.
Allen Parish royalty was named on September 9, with Lexie Noelle Sonnier capturing the Miss title, and Samantha Deshotels being named the Jr. Miss Allen Parish queen. Rusty Reeves signed the paperwork to bring the Reeves Post Office to a new location at the West Allen Parish Water District. The Allen Parish Fair Association moved the fair to October 11, to 14, and named Syble Ryder as grand marshal and dedicated the fair in memory of Carol Guillory. Raygan O’Quinn was named a new DARE officer. Emma Clair Welch was crowned Miss Kinder, and Sophie Bruchhaus was crowned Jr. Miss Kinder.
In October, Kinder crowned Lexie Sonnier as Homecoming Queen. Three teachers were recognized as Teachers of the Year at the October school board meeting including Sullivan Fontenot, high school; Rebecca Habetz, middle school; and Valerie Guree, elementary. Election results resulted in Jeff Landry being named governor. Oldest seniors recognized at the Annual Senior Citizens’ Day were Jacqueline Hebert, 98, and Clarence Smythe, 92. The Allen Parish Community Hospital and Town of Kinder planted citrus and fig trees with Chinese Elms behind the town’s gazebo at the corner of Fourth and Ninth Streets. Oberlin’s Homecoming Queen was Angelic Botley. Oberlin hosted a community clean up day on October 28.
November brought a decision by the police jury to consolidate its parish’s precincts. APSB learned its SPS score for the district was a “B”. The Ninth Annual Pancake Breakfast honoring local veterans was held. Carpenter’s Bridge is being replaced. Kinder’s gazebo was moved to Veterans’ Park.
In December, Mason Fontenot, 99, served Kinder’s Hometown Holidays celebration as its parade marshal. Oberlin had to raise its utility rates. The Allen Parish Healthcare Foundation is selling to bricks, which will be sold until March 1, 2024.
